Physiological workload of workers employed during motor-manual timber harvesting in young alder stands in different seasons

Objectives: This study examined the physiological strain experienced by workers employed in motor-manual timber harvesting performed in winter and summer, and the applicability of heart rate indices for estimating energy expenditure.

Material and methods: The heart rates (HR) of 2 teams consisting of 2 persons working simultaneously during felling and forwarding, in both winter and summer, were measured. Heart rate at work (HR_work), resting heart rate (HR_rest), relative heart rate (%HRR), ratio of working heart rate to resting heart rate, and 50% level were used to estimate the physiological workload in particular jobs. The HR_index (HR_work/HR_rest) equation was used to estimate the energy expenditure (EE).

Results: For all jobs, significantly higher physiological workload and energy expenditure were recorded during winter.

Conclusions: The season significantly affects the physiological workload during logging operations. If there is no possibility of harvesting wood in summer, in order to limit the workload of workers during winter activity, attention should be paid to the proper organization of work and selection of workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(4):437-47.